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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers NBA Preview & Free Pick

NBA Basketball Matchup: Lakers vs Trailblazers

The Lakers lost their first couple games this year, but they have responded by winning four of their last five games.

NBA Basketball Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
10:30 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NBA Betting Favorite: Blazers -3.5
Over/Under: 190

Portland is 4-1 this year, and they are coming off a momentum-building win at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. The young Blazers are looking to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. They’ll get a chance to show a national television audience what they are made of Thursday night.

It’s no coincidence that the Lakers are playing better basketball of late. Andrew Bynum’s return to the lineup has made this team much better. Bynum is averaging an amazing 23 points and 17 boards so far this year. With Bynum and Pau Gasol in the frontcourt, the Lakers almost always create a mismatch against their opponent. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Kobe Bryant is averaging 25.9 points per game, but he is shooting just 21% from beyond the arc so far this season. Bryant is distributing the ball well, but he still needs to find his shooting touch. The Lakers lead the NBA in field goal percentage defense.

The Portland roster doesn’t look the same without Brandon Roy, but this young group is very talented. LaMarcus Aldridge has assumed a leadership role on this team. Aldridge is putting up 22.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Jamal Crawford gives this team another scorer, but he is only shooting 37% from the floor.

Wesley Matthews and Gerald Wallace give the Blazers two athletic forwards who are versatile and valuable on both ends of the floor. The Blazers are averaging 102 points per game so far this season. They have been one of the best teams in the league on the glass, but they will be tested by the Lakers front line in this game.

The Lakers have been an under machine this year, and I think it continues in this one.

Prediction: Blazers 92 Lakers 90

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.